[Day 10, LM] Fueling up for the road ahead (expecting)

[Matsu Inori]

"Right...." Inori said, remembering then the entire unpleasantness with the purified kitchens and whatnot.

"I guess you won't write her any letters. I've spoken to her a little, she was nice to me, wanted to know more about my magic. Also, I think, wanted to plan my career, but that's been...common for me. Still, you know, annoys me a little, but I have no personal problems with her."

She shook her head.

"I said it. Love it or hate it. And now you have a boss who doesn't love you. Oh Choudai....never change"

[Bayushi Choudai]

"Only for a year."

He shrugged.

"Could have been worse. Think if I had won!"

[Matsu Inori]

"Some things should not even be contemplated" Inori answered in mock horror.

"And think, a year from now we just return to the dust and grime, scratching in the dirt, no longer imperial ambassadors"

[Bayushi Choudai]

"So make it a good year, Matsu-san."

He winked at her.

"I intend to."

[Matsu Inori]

Raised eyebrows.

"I thought more along the lines of not messing up horribly, but sure. I might as well" she said, taking a sip of tea "And I am not sure I want to know just HOW you intend to improve that year"

[Bayushi Choudai]

"Well, for starters, I intend to pursue a few nasty, polite-people-don't-talk-about-it commercial opportunities to secure the funds to keep my wife and myself in comfortable style. Then I'm going to thoroughly gloat about how my cooking received recognition as actual artwork..."

He sipped his tea again and smirked.

"And then I'm going to make my baby brother some mochi for his birthday like I do every year, and see what new opportunities the temporary office presents. Even if it's simply a chance to travel a bit, I look forward to it."

[Matsu Inori]

"And here I thought us Ambassadors would do actual work" Inori said, chuckling. "Or are those extracurriculars? I mean there are 12 hours in the day, maybe this Scorpion likes to keep busy"

Well, he is not lazy. He may very well be able to pull it off

"Busy, of course, with all kinds of scheming and evil. Mochi....."

She mimicked a shudder.

"In my case...I will probably be painting things for Seppun Shugenja to look at with puzzlement. Who knows what else I can get done while that's going on. Probably completing some training to become a semblance of a proper priest. Hell, I actually OPENED that Tao of Shinsei we kept in our family shrine"

[Bayushi Choudai]

He gave a low whistle.

"I thought I was the scandalous one! My, my, I'll have to step up my plotting and scheming..."

[Matsu Inori]

"I know, it's beyond the pale. Maybe if I get even more evil I can grow a proper mustache"

Inori took another sip of tea. They were more than halfway through the pot by now.

"Just think, decades of peacefully gathering dust, and then...how can mere rice starch compete with that?"

[Bayushi Choudai]

"Truly, your assault on that poor scroll is the stuff of legend."

He drummed his fingers on the tabletop.

"You know, I'm starting to worry about the secrets I entrusted you with... is the Tao of Shinsei is so treated, what chance does the Tao of Choudai have?"

[Matsu Inori]

Inori laughed at the mention of it.

"Excellent question" she said, and withdrew it from her bag - it was not, after all, a big scroll "You know, when I'm not using my gift frivolously I might just...use the wisdom therein, for old time's sake. Although...Sansho? You might be missing the point"

She grinned.

"Not a Lion in another life, huh?

[Bayushi Choudai]

"I could never get used to all of the cats being around."

It hit him that he was going to miss this. The casual chatter with the young Lion.

Because whenever they met next, they'd be different people- more time would have passed, things would have happened...

So treasure what's left.

[Matsu Inori]

"Right. Because all the ominous clicking and living in old boots is clearly preferable"

A few months ago Inori wouldn't have dared to make a reply like that, but...it was all in good fun. Choudai was an older brother very unlike her own older brother, but...it was nice having met him.

She'd miss him once she was gone, and who knew if and when they'd meet again? They would, she was sure. She would write to him, but...time marches ever on, and they would have to leave soon, to get to the first Inn before dark.

The tea was running out, too. Little remained but to sit and drink. Just for a little longer.

/scene?

[Bayushi Choudai]

[/Scene!]